Every year over 374 trillion sticks of chewing gum are made. That's 374 billion sticks of gum with a total estimated weight of 100,000 tonnes. NASA Identifies More Than 50 Major Methane Leaks From Space, In Clean Energy Backslide, Germany Ditches Wind Farm for Coal Mine Expansion, Saving Our Ocean to Save Our Future: National Marine Sanctuaries, Soil Health 101: Everything You Need to Know, Climate Protestors Throw Tomato Soup on Iconic van Gogh Painting, 5 Billion Cell Phones Will Become E-Waste This Year, More Than 57,000 U.S. However, as someone who cares about the environment, lets just pause to think about that term dispose for a moment. 143 species of shark are listed as endangered, critically endangered, near threatened, or vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and 210 more are listed as data deficient. True Gum is different from conventional gum because it is a plastic-free product. An ingredient listed as gum base in many gum formulas is plastic, and its the aspect of the gum that gives it its chewiness. Most supermarket gums gum base is a mix of plastic and different chemicals, including polyethylene, which can be found in plastic bags and bottles, according to plasticchange.org. In Britain we spend around 325m a year the on the stuff. I vote we BAN chewing gum globally. #oceanissues #internship2022 #kohtao #coralreef #crownofthorns #drupellasnails @microplasticsurvey @realcoraltribe @beachcleanorg, Marine flatworms are soft, unsegmented and bilaterally symmetrical worms. The Ancient Greeks used to chewresin from the Mastic tree while the Aztecsand Mayans enjoyed chicle, a tree sap that they also used as an early form of adhesive. Plastic, talc and latex - chew on that why don't you! Polyisobutylene is mixed with plasticisers and materials making thegummixture chewable.Even more confusingly, this rubbery mixture is listed as gum base on mainstream gum ingredients, so its hard for consumers to know what theyre chewing. A drinking straw, bottled water, a shopping bag, and chewing gum have more in common than you might think. Researchers put the global chewing gum market at USD 105 million in 2020, and some experts expect it to go beyond USD 133 million in 2027 1 . !" You might not have known this yet because, by law, gum brands don't have to disclose it. This growth may be great for the gum-making economy but is detrimental to the environment. Despite 95% of people claiming to recycle and most knowing regular chewing gum does not degrade easily, 1 in 6 admitted to disposing of chewing gum on a surface and the same number had dropped it on the pavement. Image: Storyblocks. Although in the past this was made using natural ingredients such a chicle (which is extracted from a tree like sap) scientists found ways to adapt the recipe and use easier to find things. The only downside is that all of the Simply Gum flavors are . Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives for gum-lovers who dont want to chew on plastic. Milliways has recommended that the plastic content of a product is printed on the packaging of gum, a levy on chewing gum products containing polymers that are . most gum brands are 80 per cent plastic and we can't confirm our exact figure as it is confidential, we can confirm that our 'gum base' which also includes natural ingredients is significantly, much less than that," says a brand manager from gum brand peppersmith, which is sold in health food shops such as planet organic and holland and barrett Thats374 billionsticks of gum with a total estimated weight of100,000 tonnes. The modern day chewing gums are made of four major ingredients including synthetic rubber, plastic, sugar, and coloring (dye). According to Jennifer Welsh's article Gum-Chewing Improves Test Performance, Study Suggests, the researchers in the St. Lawrence University study have a theory for why chewing gum only had an effect for a short period of time.Researchers at the school believe to claim that chewing stimulates the brain by pumping more blood to the heart. People around the world have been chewing gum like substances for thousands of years. . Just One Ocean is a UK Registered Charity #1180364, In the summer of 2022 these students from Portsmouth University participated in the Just One Ocean Marine Conservation Internship in collaboration with Coral Tribe Koh Tao, Thailand. As such, it has recommended that the plastic content of a product is printed on the packaging of gum; a levy on chewing gum products containing polymers that are derived from petroleum be implemented; and that 100 percent biodegradable, plant-based alternative gum is subject to zero-rated VAT. Chewing gum: We munch on it to freshen our breath, to reduce boredom, or reduce cravings. 1 to 1 1/2 c warm water. We also know that plastic causes significant harm to the environment because it doesnt biodegrade.Milliways founder Tom Raviv was inspired to launch the company after learning that each piece of gum contains roughly the same amount of plastic as a drinking straw. Its texture is reminiscent of rubber because of the physical-chemical properties of its components. This gum base, however, contains plastic such as polyvinyl acetate. Nearly 100 Mayors Called Out For Collective Lack Of Progress On Climate Initiatives, Lynx And Vultures Are Returning To Spain Thanks To A New Rewilding Project, Animal Activist Takes Switzerland To Court After Not Being Provided Vegan Meals In Prison. We surveyed more than 2,000 Brits and found that 32% of people believe chewing gum is made of just animal products, 24% said just rubber, and 17% believe chicle is the main ingredient but, in fact most modern gums are based on a rubbery material called polyisobutylene that's also used in the manufacture of inner tubes. (We promise not to send you any spam), IMPRESS, 16-18 New Brige Street, London, EC4V 6AG. "I had no idea? The current world record for the most chewing gum ever chewed at one time is 250 pieces - MAD!. Most supermarket gum's gum base is a mix of plastic and different chemicals, including polyethylene, which can be found in plastic bags and bottles, according to plasticchange.org. An innovative and reusable chewing gum container was emerging designer Dorcas Chu's answer to gum littering. Manufacturers don't tend to disclose their ingredients. For your chance to win these amazing kitchen, bathroom and personal care products all you need to do is. #competition #ukcompetition #win #givevaway #plasticfreejuly #welovetheplanet.uk #justoneocean, We care deeply about sharks. A study in 2016 found that chewing mastic gum has a positive effect on cholesterol levels. Chewing gum typically comes in three formats: tablets, coated pellets, and sticks/ slabs. Furthermore, chewing gum after a meal increases saliva flow.. We've turned back the clock and are using sustainably sourced chicle for our chewing . SWEETENERS: Pesticide-free, minimally processed organic raw cane sugar replaces sorbitol and aspartame. I am not sure whether chewing gum is a recyclable polymer, but I am pretty certain it is not generally accepted in the recycling bin. He stated: The plastic-based gum issue is global and so are our ambitions.. Chewing Gum Benefits for Ear Infections. Fifty percent of Americans chew gum, averaging about 170 servings per person per year. Plastic-free chicle chewing gum is making a comeback. The thing that makes it gummy is the gum base. She was also a contributor for Virginia Reports where she reported on the impact that COVID-19 had on college students. People used to chew on chicle - a gum made from tree sap. Nowadays, with the exception of a couple of natural brands still made from chicle, all of the chewing gum on sale is made from butadiene-based synthetic rubber, a polymer, aplastic productmade from oil, a bit like the stuff we use to make car tyres. Iceland commissioned a study before making their product, and we're not alone; 85% of the 2,000 people surveyed had no idea there was plastic in chewing gum. Neither natural nor synthetic latex are readily degraded by the digestive system. The chewing of gum ( R) increases the secretion of saliva in the oral cavity which helps keep it moist and washes away the deposited plaque acid, thereby getting rid of the tooth decay and the associated problems. Chewing Gum. In Seattle they used to have one particular wall called the gum wall where you could stick your gum. We reported yesterday that Iceland is to become the first major UK supermarket to sell plastic-free chewing gum. Source: Glee Gum. Not only is it destroying the planet, but it's costing councils around 60m per year to keep our streets clear of chewing gum. Celebrate by . I am not saying it should be made illegal and not only because I dont want to incur the wrath of every football manager in the English league, but it does need to be regulated. This statistic shows the number of people chewing gum / bubble gum in the United States in 2020. The best of EcoWatch right in your inbox. - Collective Purpose, Internode Blog Take care of the earth in 10 easy steps, How can we cut down the use of plastic in our everyday life? The ancient Greeks chewed on resin from the mastic tree, called mastiche. Whats more, 25% of respondents said that they have used chewing gum instead of brushing their teeth, and 2 in 5 have swallowed gum before. He claims that normal chewing gum has the same amount of plastic as a plastic straw. Technically speaking, gum is not consumed and yet it is still edible. This top predator is essential to the natural order of marine ecosystems. Softeners are ingredients such as glycerin or vegetable oil that are used to blend the other ingredients and help prevent the gum from becoming hard or stiff. Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without being swallowed. Perhaps if we tell more people it might make a difference. Our natural chewing gum - Alpengummi - consists of 100% renewable raw materials, the new gum base is made from local tree resin and beeswax. The global chewing gum market is forecasted to make sales amounting to 32.63 billion U.S. dollars in. Plastic is a part of the ingredient called the "Gum base" that gives the gum it's "chew". I once decided to look up how my favourite chewy gelatin sweets were made and I havent touched a Haribo since, but to me this is somehow different. Chewing gum is an oil based synthetic polymer, just like plastics and these products are not broken down by the natural processes that exist in the environment. This is a product where the manufacturers should not ignore their responsibilities. - The Future is Plastic Free. #oceanissues #pacific #makeachange #makeadifference, This looks like a nice one. It is good to see that Iceland are selling natural gum, but we need to be cautious. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Chewing gum consists of 20-25% gum base, and sugar-free chewing gum contains 25-30% gum base. Gum has been around since ancient times. He told Food Navigator: 574 billion pieces of gum get chewed every single year and all of that is plastic. Plastic-free. So, maybe don't chew 20 pieces a day. Surprising, right? - Media Credit: Adobe Stock. Follow @justoneocean and @welovetheplanet.uk Simply Gum: In 2014, I learned of Simply Gum. And, it seems, knowledge of these ingredients varies. The simple answer to this is, yes, most big brand chewing gum is made from a gum-base which often contains plastic. Do you really want to be chewing on Plastic? What gum is plastic free? #oceanissues #theseaisamazing #flatworms #kohtao #thailand #marineconservation #internship @realcoraltribe, Speaking about ocean issues, microplastics in particular. The design comes from the realization that "chewing gum is the second most littered item in the world and 80 to 90 percent of chewing gum is not disposed of properly." The gum is biodegradable, vegan, and organic, and it contains only five main ingredients: powdered organic evaporated cane juice, organic gum base, organic glucose, organic agave syrup, organic flavors. MORE : Dad used pair of iPhone earphones to deliver baby, MORE : A new campaign is calling for better treatment of chickens in the food industry, Celebrations is launching tubs free of the crime against chocolate that is the Bounty bar, The cheese toastie was named the UKs favourite sandwich heres how to make the ultimate one, Quality Street brings back discontinued chocolate just in time for Christmas, The best restaurant discounts and deals across the country this week, We tried McDonalds new McCrispy chicken burger Legend slayer it aint, Iceland is to become the first major UK supermarket to sell plastic-free chewing gum, Dad used pair of iPhone earphones to deliver baby, A new campaign is calling for better treatment of chickens in the food industry, Isobutylene-isoprene copolymer (butyl rubber), Paraffin (via the Fischer-Tropsch process). In the next 5 years, over 1 million metric tones of chewing gum will be produced. This habit dates back to ancient times. Chewing gum fun fact no.2: Another fun fact about chewing gum is that it has two national days on September 30th and on February 15 th. What percentage of chewing gum is plastic? Inspired by the Aztecs, the brand uses Chicle in its three products: Mighty Mint, Watermelon Wonder, and Peppermint Power.There is still limited research into microplastics and what chewing them might be doing to our health, but last year, one study found that microplastics do cause cell damage in humans. That's a plastic made from oil that's similar to the stuff used in car tyres. Chewing gum can be dangerous and toxic to any animal that consumes it. However, most of the time people just spit it out, where ever they happen to be. #oceanissues #makeachange #makeadifference #lesspollution #lesswaste #lessplastic @justoneocean @microplasticsurvey, COMPETITION TIME! There are numerous action groups springing up trying to change peoples attitudes to chewing gum and I have even found a gumtray at a train station in Bristol. Here are the ingredients Simply Gum uses instead of the ones in regular gum. 2022 Plant Based News is a UK-based digital media outlet publishing content about veganism and plant-based living, including news and current events, health, personal transformation stories, features, and recipes. UK authorities spend an estimated 60 million removing gum from our streets each year, and its not clear where it all goes, but its not water-soluble so doesnt break down. A person who smokes less than 25 cigarettes each day should switch to chewing gum that contains 2 mg of nicotine. In fact, one study found that chewing xylitol-sweetened gum reduced the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth by up to 75% ( 41 ). According to an Iceland-commissioned study, 85% of people didnt know there was plastic in gum. To make vegan low-fat tortillas: Instead of butter, take 1/2 c of the flour and blend it with 1/2 cup of vegetable/olive oil and freeze for 2 hours. Persisting in landfill is not ideal, but most used gum does not even make it there. The small stains left from gum that used to be stuck to the sidewalk contain microplastics, that can then end up in drains that filter into the ocean according to a report from Metro. What percentage of chewing gum is plastic? Chew gum? People have been enjoying the oral fixation of gum for centuries. It is non-digestible and water insoluble, which means you can carry on gnashing away at the stuff and it never seems to break down. Firstly they should explain to consumers what they are really buying (I doubt they would do that) and secondly they must consider the environmental impact that their product is having and do something about it. TO ENTER: Shockingly, 85 per cent were not aware it usually contains plastic. And in the UK alone, some 100,000 tons of it is chewed every year[1], with 95% of the country's streets stained by it[2]. Additionally, 32% thought the primary ingredient in gum was natural, such as animal products or gelatin. Knowledge and understanding are incredibly important in the battle of getting the public backing to protect the environment. They all contain single-use plastics. However, not many seem to have asked the question, am I chewing on plastic when I chew my gum? Less than 25% of known species is not under threat. Best of all, Nopla doesnt compromise on taste. Among chocolate and sugary products, chewing gum belongs to the confectionery category. It is made with sap from gum trees with all-natural flavors and sweetness. and experts are committed to making an impact through a wide range of contentand People in Wales were the most aware, with a third of respondents knowing chewing gum contained plastic, but just 1 in 6 in the North East knew what they were chewing. (Merriam Webmaster Dictionary) Chewing gum is a flavored and sweetened rubber material for chewing. 1. Shockingly, 85 per cent were not aware it usually contains plastic. Later, in the aftermath of World War II, chemists developed synthetic rubber, replacing natural rubber which was previously the base for chewing gum, according to The Ecologist. If chewing gum is essentially the same exactly where have we been disposing of our gum for the last 70 years, where has it all gone? Yum! Chewing Gum consumption varies around the rest of the world. Ingredients of organic chewing gum Spearmint (ChicZa) According to the manufacturer, the organic chewing gum to 100% is biodegradable. We're chewing on plastic that then sticks around in the environment. This indestructible property comes from the gum base, the exact ingredients of which . What percentage of chewing gum is plastic? It is still on the market with plastic-free gum base and packaging. Native Americans chewed the resin from spruce trees and settlers quickly picked up the habit. Around 50% of the U.S. population consumed chewing gum in 2019 2. They have no circulatory or respiratory systems but rely ondiffusionto circulate nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. ImageSource: www.dicasgratis.org. Its a move in the right direction. Whether you're a gum-snapper, a bubble-blower, or a more reserved gum-chewer, you're probably chewing on a material that's polluting our landscapes and waterways. Our gum is entirely plastic-free, meaning its biodegradable, kinder to the environment and better for your health. #oceanissues #sharks #bullshark #fiji #conservation #makeachange #makeadifference #donate #fundraising @IUCN, Research Publication on Recreational Diver Perceptions, Help us to Protect the Oceans for Future Generations, How To Start Living A Plastic-free Life! 2. It is only doing harm, and, it is PLASTIC! Most People Dont Know What Theyre Putting In Their Mouth. The mastic gum chewers also experienced lower blood glucose levels- which are sometimes associated with high cholesterol levels. Ours is different in fact, our name, Nopla, stands for no plastic. Chicle was originally the raw ingredientof choice but as the need to chew expanded around the world supply was never going to meet the growing demand and by the 1950s manufacturers were replacing it with a synthetic product. Milliways is taking the plastic out of chewing gum. Consumers probably know that the sticky, breath-freshening substance is often made with artificial flavors and color. Gum is designed to be litter. Its the second most littered item on the planet after cigarette butts. If the thought of chewing plastic is not that appealing it is possible that at this very moment you may be frantically looking for a bin and a piece of paper to hygienically dispose of your gum. We need to try and kick the habit a bit like smoking. Read more about Peppersmith chewing gum here. The reason manufacturers do not need to disclose the exact ingredients in their gum bases is that these are considered trade . These days, we're more likely to be chewing on a polymer. One of the ways that chewing-gum companies keep this away from consumers is by referring to a 'gum base' on its ingredients list. Barry Island on August 4th at 11am. Across Britain, France, Germany, and Spain for instance almost 50 per cent of adults aged 15 and above use chewing gum. I hate to think about the amount of gum that has found its way into the environment since this habit became popular, but it inevitably amounts to millions of tonnes. Social innovations like this dont happen over night, but starting with a group of friends like you have is the way to go! Three luxury UK treehouses that are perfect for a weekend getaway and reset, Super fit 72-year-old who gets mistaken for being in her 20s hits back at 'jealous' trolls, Kate Middleton steps out in camel for Scarborough visit - here's how to get her look. As part of her research, she soon realised that one common material, chewing gum, was not only not being recycled, but was also a real nuisance on our streets. Come on people, we can do so much better. Only an estimated 10 to 20 percent of all chewing gum is disposed of properly. Audrey Nakagawa is the content creator intern at EcoWatch. According to the organization Just One Ocean, an incredible 374 billion pieces of chewing gum have been chewed. Have we been chewing on plastic this whole time? EU to Ban New Combustion Engine Cars Starting 2035, 15 Affordable Ways to Winterize Your Home: Save Money on Heat This Winter, EPA Gives School Districts Across U.S. Nearly $1 Billion to Buy Clean School Buses, Where Are the Methane Super-Emitters? All you do is suck the artificial sweeter and flavoring off of it and discard it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get our weekly editors newsletter & special offers delivered right to your inbox! | Chewsy, Reducing Plastic Use - 4 Small Changes With Huge Consequences - myenergi - DE, Does chewing gum have plastic in it? "We have started working with schools and universities there, as well as implementing educational resources. Chewing gum balls Chewing gum can come in a variety of formats ranging from 1.4 to 6.9 grams per piece, and products can be differentiated by the consumers' intent to form bubbles or the sugar/sugarless dichotomy. These Biodegradable Gums Are Much Better, Chewing on Plastic? Only 8% of Japanese people chew gum every day. Sign up for minty fresh deals and to be the first to know when Nopla is available in stores near you. Although technically not ingested, gum is still edible. Our natural chewing gums are packaged in PEFC-certified cardboard In order to save even more resources, we have recently started offering our natural chewing . Chewing gum is the world's most common habit. 98% of chewing gum is made from plastic, creating 100,000 tonnes of plastic pollution each year, according to Just One Ocean. Modern day gums are produced from synthetic polymers such as styrene-butadiene rubbers and polyvinyl acetate. Winner will be selected at random from across all feeds. Here at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia, we have started a new initiative to encourage students to stick there gum where it actually belongs in the bin! Chewing Gum - Function: noun, Date: 1850 - a sweetened and flavored insoluble plastic material (as a preparation of chicle) used for chewing. Chewing gum has come a long way since its once-humble origins. However, the estimates are that the the global chewing gum market is worth around US$19 billion a year with two companies accounting for 60% of the market share and it is growing by approximately 4.5% every year. Just replacing petroleum gum with something biodegradable is only part of the solution. The final product is composed of 60% sugar, 20% corn syrup, and only 20% actual gum material. Most modern chewing gum bases use either no natural rubber at all, or a minimal amount ranging from ten to twenty percent, with synthetic rubbers such as butadiene-styrene rubber, polyethylene, and polyvinyl acetate making up the rest. You might beconsiderate and wrap it in a piece of paper before putting it in a waste bin, ultimately destined for landfill, but you only have to look on the pavement in every city in the world to realise that many people simply throw it on the floor. They participated in a range of marine conservation projects and activities including the Big Microplastic Survey, coral reef and crown of thorns surveys, drupella snail removal, and beach cleans. Their conservation status is classified as least concern. Regular chewing gum is made of a plastic, rubbery base and can be sweetened, softened and coated using synthetic ingredients, Nopla is all natural so you'll know where every ingredient in the gum you chew comes from. Even if it was, putting it in there for manual sorting would be pretty disgusting and it would just get stuck on the conveyor belt in an automated process.
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